Venezuela

The turpial is fairly appreciated due to its singing and was declared the National Bird on 23 May 1958.
. He is the second non-Italian and the first German Pontiff to be elected since Pope Adrian VI (an ethnic German born in future Dutch territory of the Holy Roman Empire, so he was German in terms of his ethnicity and citizenship). It can be found in woods, the llanos, at the shores of jungles, and in northern and southern Orinoco. He was then replaced by the German Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and at the same time, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI after more than a quarter of a century in 2005. Fully coloured with yellow-orange tones except in the head and the wings, which are black with a few tones in white; also has a blue spot surrounding the eyes. He in turn was succeeded by the non-Italian Pope John Paul II (1978–2005), who was an intellectual heavyweight unprecedented since Pope Pius XII. Declared National Tree on 29 May 1945. (He had worked with Pacelli in the 1930s and 1940s in the curia.) Yet Pope Paul was succeeded (albeit for a short time) by the non-Curialist Pope John Paul I (1978), who it was said was chosen not as an experienced insider nor administrator, but as a "simple, holy man".

Rómulo Gallegos referred to these months as "La primavera de oro de los araguaneyes" (the golden spring of the araguaneyes). Montini, Pope Paul VI (1963–1978) like Pius XII, was a curialist. The araguaney flourishes within the period following a rainy season, mostly on the first months of the year. After a short but dramatic pontificate during which he convoked the Second Vatican Council which resulted in wide ranging changes in the church, the surprise John was replaced by the widely expected choice Cardinal Giovanni Montini, who many believed would have been elected in 1958, had he been a cardinal then. It can reach a height between 6 and 12 m. John proved to be a radical break with the two previous popes, and indeed with most of the popes of the 20th century. Called aravanei by the caribes, it can be found mostly in regions with temperate weather. The contrast between diffident, intellectual and distant Pius XII and the humble, in his own words "ordinary" Good Pope John was dramatic, with none more surprised at the election than Pope John himself, who had his own return rail ticket in his pocket when he was elected.

Was given the status of National Flower on 23 May 1951. Pius was then replaced by the lower-class, elderly, popular, informal Pope John XXIII (1958–1963). Was first discovered in the northern land in 1839. He was also the ultimate insider; his family were descended from the papal aristocracy, with his brother working as a lawyer for the Holy See. This kind of orchid is also known as Flor de Mayo (May Flower). Pius XII was seen as one of the great thinkers in the papacy in the 20th century. The governments through history have officially declared these as national symbols:. Pius XI was replaced in 1939 by the aristocratic ultra-insider Curialist, Pius XI's Secretary of State Eugenio Cardinal Pacelli, Pope Pius XII (1939–1958).

Other elements relative to the typical flora and fauna of the territory are remarkable. Pius's rugged ultraconservatism contrasted with the low-key moderatism of Giacomo Cardinal della Chiesa, Pope Benedict XV (1914–1922), which again contrasted with the former librarian mountain-climber Achille Cardinal Ratti, Pope Pius XI (1922–1939), who led Roman Catholicism with an authoritarianism more akin to Pope Pius X, who also shared his temper. Venezuela's national symbols include the Flag, the Coat of Arms, and the National Anthem. He in turn was succeeded by the lower-class, bluntly outspoken Pope Pius X (1903–1914). See also:. The controversial one-time populist turned conservative, long-lived Pope Pius IX (1846–1878) was succeeded by the aristocratic diplomatic Pope Leo XIII (1878–1903). Although baseball is tremendously popular (it's the national pastime), football (soccer) is also gaining popularity, due to the increasing performance of the Venezuela national football team. Past cardinals have often voted for someone radically different to the pope who appointed them.

Venezuela is also a reference for their world famous baseball players, such as Luis Aparicio, David Concepción, Oswaldo Guillén, Andrés Galarraga, Omar Vizquel, Luis Sojo, Bobby Abreu, and Johan Santana, winner of the Cy Young Award in 2004. The newly elected pope often contrasts dramatically with his predecessor, a tendency expressed by the Italian axiom "After a fat pope a lean pope". Teresa Carreño was a world famous piano virtuosa during late 19th century. John Paul I did not want the elaborate coronation ceremony for himself, choosing instead to be consecrated in a Papal Inauguration ceremony. The national dance is the joropo. Formerly, the Pope would be crowned by the triregnum or Triple Tiara at the Papal Coronation. The gaitas is also a popular style, played generally on Christmas, typical of Zulia State. The new Pope then gives his first apostolic blessing, Urbi et Orbi ("to the City [Rome] and to the World").

The national songs are mainly from the llanos area and its environment, so is the case of the Alma Llanera (by Pedro Elias Gutierrez and Rafael Bolivar), Florentino y el Diablo (by Alberto Arvelo Torrealba) and Caballo Viejo (by Simón Díaz). In 1903 Protodeacon Prospero Cardinal Caterini was physically incapable of completing the announcement, so another made it for him. The national musical instrument is the cuatro. In such an event the announcement is made by the next senior Deacon, who has thus succeeded as Protodeacon, and not by the new Pope himself. Autoctonal music styles are sort of a crisol of the Venezuelan cultural inheritages, most noted in groups like Un Solo Pueblo and Serenata Guayanesa. It has happened in the past that the Cardinal Protodeacon has himself been the person elected Pope. Venezuelan architecture examples are the National Pantheon, the Baralt Theatre, the Teatro Teresa Carreño,and the General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge. Next, the senior Cardinal Deacon (the Cardinal Protodeacon) appears at the main balcony of the basilica's façade to proclaim the new pope with the Latin phrase:.

The great architect of the Venezuelan Modern era was Carlos Raúl Villanueva, who designed and built the Universidad Central de Venezuela, (World Heritage Site) and its Aula Magna. The Pope dresses by himself, selecting among the three sizes of white robes made available, and returns to the conclave, where the Cardinal Camerlengo places the Fisherman's Ring on his finger and each cardinal pays homage to the new Pope, who sits on a footstool near the altar. Other philosophers and intellectuals, like Laureano Vallenilla Lanz and José Gil Fortoul, along with many other writers, sustained the theory of the Venezuelan positivism. The origin of the name is uncertain, but seems to imply the commixture of joy and sorrow felt by the newly chosen holder of the monumental office. Another great poet and humanist was Andrés Bello, besides being and educator and an intellectual. Later, the new Pope goes to the "Room of Tears," a small red room next to the Sistine Chapel. Major writers and novelists are Rómulo Gallegos, Teresa de la Parra, Arturo Uslar Pietri, Adriano González León, Miguel Otero Silva and Mariano Picón Salas. After the papal name is chosen, the officials are readmitted to the conclave, and the Master of Pontifical Liturgical writes a document recording the acceptance and the new name of the Pope.

Although mainly focused on narrative, poets figure with great importance, being Andrés Eloy Blanco the most famous of them, aside Fermín Toro. In most cases, even if such considerations are absent, Popes tend to choose new papal names; the last Pope to reign under his baptismal name was Pope Marcellus II (1555). Following the rise of political literature during the Independence War, was the Romanticism, the first important genre in the region, whose great exponent was Juan Vicente González. Pope John II was the first to adopt a new papal name; he felt that his original name, Mercurius, was inappropriate, as it was also the name of a Roman god. Venezuelan literature began developing soon after Spanish conquest, and it was dominated by Spanish culture and thinking. Since 533, the new Pope has also decided on the name by which he is to be called at this time. Some very remarkable Venezuelan artists include Arturo Michelena, Cristóbal Rojas, Armando Reverón, Jesús-Rafael Soto, Carlos Cruz-Diez (who both contributed greatly to kinetic art), and Manuel Cabré. Only after becoming a bishop does the Pope-elect take office.

Modernism took over in the 20th century. If a priest is elected, the Cardinal Dean ordains him bishop; if a layman is elected, then the Cardinal Dean first ordains him priest, and only then bishop. Firstly dominated by religious motives, in the late 19th century changed to historical and heroic representations, led by Martín Tovar y Tovar. If he is not a bishop, however, he must be first ordained as one before he can assume office. Venezuelan art is gaining attention within and outside the country. If he does, and is already a bishop, he immediately takes office. Aboriginal culture was subsequently assimilated by Spaniards; over the years, the hybrid culture had diversified by region. The Cardinal Dean then asks the Pope-elect if he assents to the election ("Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?").

Before this period, indigenous cultural manifestations were expressed in art (petroglyphs), crafts, architecture (shabonos) and social organization. Once the election concludes, the junior Cardinal Deacon summons the Secretary of the College of Cardinals and the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations into the hall. The Venezuelan culture comes from a wide variety of heritages, mainly of the indigenous populations, Spanish and African provenance, dating from the Colony. Originally, damp straw was added to the fire to create dark smoke; since 1958 chemicals have been used, and since 2005 bells ring after a successful election in case the white smoke is not unambiguously white. ^[1]. Dark smoke signals that the ballot did not result in an election, while white smoke signals that a new Pope was chosen. Around 4% of the population adheres to other faiths. The colour of the smoke signals the results to the people assembled in St Peter's Square.

96% of the population is at least nominally Roman Catholic. If the first election held in any given morning or afternoon does not result in an election, the cardinals proceed to the next vote immediately; the papers from both ballots are burnt together at the end of the second vote. The national and official language is Spanish, but numerous indigenous languages also exist (Wayu, Pemon, Warao, etc), as do languages introduced by immigrants. The ballots are then all burnt by the Scrutineers with the assistance of the Secretary of the College and the Masters of Ceremonies. While almost half of Venezuela's land area lies south of the Orinoco river, this region contains only 5% of the population. The Scrutineers add up all of the votes, and the Revisers check the ballots and the names on the Scrutineers' lists to ensure that no error was made. About 85% of the population live in urban areas in the northern portion of the country. Once all of the ballots have been opened, the final post-scrutiny phase begins.

The historically present Amerindians, Spanish colonists and Africans were joined by Italians, Portuguese, Arabs, Germans, and others from neighbouring countries in South America during waves of immigration in the 20th century. The last of the Scrutineers reads the name aloud. The Venezuelan people comprise a rich combination of heritages. Each ballot is unfolded by the first Scrutineer; all three Scrutineers separately write down the name indicated on the ballot.
. If, however, no irregularities are observed, the ballots may be opened and the votes counted. Since December 2005, Venezuela is a member of Mercosur, joining with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, although it has yet to finalize policy changes in order to gain voting rights. If the number of ballots does not correspond to the number of cardinal electors present, the ballots are burnt, unread, and the vote is repeated.

The idea itself (an international oil cartel) was the initiative of Juan Pablo Pérez Alfonzo, who proposed it as a response to low domestic and international oil prices in August 1960. Once all votes have been cast, the first Scrutineer chosen shakes the container, and the last Scrutineer removes and counts the ballots. Venezuela is one of the five founding members of OPEC. The oath is taken by all cardinals only at the first vote. Venezuela also depends highly on the agricultural sector; both coffee and cocoa are crops with major potential for export-led growth. When the Infirmarii return to the Chapel, the ballots are counted to ensure that their number matches with the number of ill cardinals; thereafter, they are deposited in the appropriate receptacle. The oil sector operates through the government-owned Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), which among other things owns the US-based distributor CITGO, which has 14,000 service stations in the US. If any cardinal elector is by reason of infirmity confined to his room, the Infirmarii go to their rooms with ballot papers and a box.

The petroleum sector dominates the economy, accounting for roughly a third of Venezuela's GDP, around 80% of export earnings, and more than half of government revenues. Before casting the ballot, each cardinal elector takes a Latin oath, which translates to: "I call as my witness Christ the Lord who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who before God I think should be elected." If any cardinal elector is in the Chapel, but cannot proceed to the altar due to infirmity, the last Scrutineer may go to him and take his ballot after the oath is recited. (more). The cardinal electors proceed, in order of precedence, to take their completed ballots (which bear only the name of the individual voted for) to the altar, where the Scrutineers stand. Venezuela is one of the seventeen megadiverse countries, for the great number of animal and vegetable species that habitate there. Then the scrutiny phase of the election commences. Other major cities include Maracaibo, Barquisimeto, Valencia, Maracay, and Ciudad Guayana. New Scrutineers, Infirmarii and Revisers are not selected again after the first ballot.

The capital, Caracas is also the country's largest city. The junior Cardinal Deacon then draws by lot nine names; the first three become Scrutineers, the second three Infirmarii and the last three Revisers. The local climate is tropical and generally hot and humid, though more moderate in the highlands. As the cardinals begin to write down their votes, the Secretary of the College of Cardinals, the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations and the Masters of Ceremonies exit; the junior Cardinal Deacon then closes the door. Other important rivers are the Caroní and the Apure. The process of voting comprises three phases: the "pre-scrutiny," the "scrutiny," and the "post-scrutiny." During the pre-scrutiny, the Masters of the Ceremonies prepare ballot papers bearing the words Eligo in Summum Pontificem ("I elect as Supreme Pontiff") and provide at least two to each cardinal elector. The Orinoco River is the largest and most important river of the country, originating one of the biggest watersheds in Latin America. However, there can be no waiving of the requirement that a valid election takes place only by an absolute majority of the votes.

The last geographical region is the Deltaic System forms a pantanous triangle, covering Delta Amacuro State, with the Atlantic platform branching off the coast. This includes the possibility of eliminating all candidates except the two who have received the greatest number of votes in the previous ballot and reducing the majority require for an election. The Insular Region is formed by the Nueva Esparta State and the Federal Dependencies. After a further seven ballots, the cardinal electors may decide by an absolute majority, to advise and change the election rules. Under it, is the South Orinoco Region (the Guianas, above described). If, after another seven ballots, no result is achieved, voting is suspended once more, the address being delivered by the senior Cardinal Bishop. The Llanos Region involves a third part of the country's area, above the Orinoco River. After seven further ballots, the process may again be similarly suspended, with the address now being delivered by the senior Cardinal Priest.

The Central Range is tied up with the coast and the hills surrounding Caracas, while the Eastern Range, separated from the Central by the Gulf of Cariaco, covers all of Sucre State and northern Monagas. If no result is obtained after three vote days of balloting, the process is suspended for a maximum of one day for prayer and an address by the senior Cardinal Deacon. The Coro System, a mountainous block in the northern occidental territory, is the fount of several sierras and valleys. If a ballot take place on the afternoon of the first day and no-one is elected, or no ballot had taken place, four ballots are held on each successive day: two in each morning and two in each afternoon. The Lake Maracaibo region comprehends the lowlands near the Gulf of Venezuela. On the afternoon of the first day, one ballot may be held. The country can also be divided into nine geographical areas, some corresponding to the natural regions, one being the Andes Range. Universi Dominici Gregis specifically prohibits media such as newspapers, the radio, and television.

This is a classical division, however. Cardinal electors may not correspond or converse with anyone outside the conclave, by post, radio, telephone or otherwise. To the south are found the dissected Guiana Highlands, home to Angel Falls, the world's highest waterfall, and the northern edge of Amazonia. Secrecy is maintained during the conclave; the cardinals as well as the conclavists and staff are not permitted to disclose any information relating to the election. The centre of the country is characterised by extensive plains known as the llanos that stretch from the Colombian border to the river delta of the Orinoco east. Finally, a strictly limited number of servant staff are permitted for housekeeping and the preparing and serving of meals³. Venezuela is home to a wide variety of landscapes, such as the north-easternmost extensions of the Andes mountains in the northwest and along the northern Caribbean coast, of which the highest point is the Pico Bolívar at 5,007 m. Priests are available to hear the confession in different languages; two doctors are also admitted.

The country is also divided into ten administrative regions (regiones administrativas), the administrative regions were established by presidential decrees. The Secretary of the College of Cardinals, the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations, two Masters of Ceremonies, two officers of the Papal Sacristy and an ecclesiastic assisting the Dean of the College of Cardinals are also admitted to the conclave. Venezuela is subdivided into 23 states (estados), a Capital District (Distrito Capital) correspondent to the city of Caracas, and the Federal Dependencies (Dependencias Federales). Each cardinal elector may be accompanied by two attendants or conclavists (three if the cardinal elector is ill). government, via institutions such as the National Endowment for Democracy and the United States Agency for International Development, has provided opposition groups with monetary support. An ill cardinal may leave the conclave and later be readmitted; a cardinal who leaves for any reason other than illness may not return to the conclave. - - The Chávez administration has so far presented no evidence supporting these accusations, however, although it has been documented that the U.S. Cardinals who arrive after the conclave has begun are admitted nevertheless.

of being involved in plots to kill him and to destabilize his government with terrorist actions. After the clarification of the doubts, the election may commence. - President Chávez and members of his government have repeatedly accused the U.S. Following the recitation of prayers, the Cardinal Dean asks if any doubts relating to procedure remain. A day earlier, officials discovered 24 kilos of C-4 and various weapons and grenades in Zulia state, in western Venezuela. After the speech concludes, the ecclesiastic leaves. Authorities later explained that the explosion was caused by C-4 plastic explosive. The ecclesiastic makes a speech concerning the problems facing the Church and on the qualities the new Pope needs to have.

The night before the election, an explosion destroyed a part of the oil pipeline that supplies Venezuela’s Paraguaná oil refining complex, one of the largest in the world. The Master himself may remain, as may one ecclesiastic designated by the Congregations prior to the commencement of the election. - - The explosion of two small devices known in Venezuela as "niple," a few days before the election, and the sabotage of a major oil pipeline on election eve were part of the plan, said the lawmakers. After all the cardinals present have taken the oath, the Master of the Papal Liturgical Celebrations orders all individuals other than the cardinals and conclave participants to leave the Chapel. It is worth noting that this announcement was not made by any of the State's judicial bodies, but by the aforementioned group of congresspeople, who presented the alleged physical evidence to the media. The Cardinal Dean reads the oath aloud in full; in order of precedence, the other cardinal electors merely state, while touching the Gospels, that they "do so promise, pledge and swear.". The recordings allegedly included the voices of various retired officers who were involved in the April 2002 events and are currently being sought by the police. The Cardinals then take an oath to observe the procedures set down by the apostolic constitutions; to, if elected, defend the liberty of the Holy See; to maintain secrecy; and to disregard the instructions of secular authorities on voting.

According to the lawmakers, the CIA supported this plan. Then, they gather in the afternoon in the Pauline Chapel of the Palace of the Vatican, proceeding to the Sistine Chapel while singing the Veni Creator. They presented recordings allegedly involving active and retired dissident military officers talking about causing 15,000 deaths, chaos, and attacks on government institutions. On the morning of the day designated by the Congregations of Cardinals, the cardinal electors assemble in St Peter's Basilica to celebrate the Eucharist. - - On December 9, 2005, National Assembly President Nicolas Maduro, MVR party leader Cilia Flores, and National Assembly Vice President Pedro Carreño claimed that Venezuelan state intelligence forces thwarted a plot to destabilize Venezuela during last Sunday’s parliamentary election. A vacancy in the papal office may also result from a papal abdication, though no pope has abdicated since Celestine V in 1294 and Gregory XII in 1409. Re-elected MVR congressman, and current Assembly president Nicolás Maduro, has proposed to make voting mandatory in response to December's abstention. The conclave normally takes place fifteen days after the death of the Pope, but the Congregations may extend the period to a maximum of twenty days in order to permit other cardinals to arrive in the Vatican City.

If we compare the voter turnout with the most recent election, which included the opposition (the August 2005 municipal elections), the abstention campaign accounted for only a 6 per cent increase in citizens who chose not to vote (69 per cent to 75 per cent). The Congregations also fix the date and time of the commencement of the conclave. The argument that the level of turnout calls into question the legitimacy of the elections would, if applied to any US "off-year" election, de-legitimize many congressional, municipal and gubernatorial elections. The Congregations must make certain arrangements in respect of the Pope's burial, which by tradition takes place from four to six days of the Pope's death, leaving time for pilgrims to see the dead pontiff, and is to be followed by a nine-day period of mourning (this is known as the novemdiales, Latin for "nine days"). His critics argue that the election is illegitimate, since a parliament majority of 65% elected by 25% of eligible voters cannot truly represent the electorate. The Cardinal Camerlengo and Cardinal Assistants are responsible, among other things, for maintaining the election's secrecy. Chávez condemned the boycott as an attempt, largely backed by the United States, to destabilize both his government and its reforms as well as the election. Every three days, new Cardinal Assistants are chosen by lot.

This gives Chavez extremely broad latitude to enact his social and economic policies, and his overwhelming majority in the legislature allows him to easily draft amendments to Venezuela's constitution. The Particular Congregation, which deals with the day-to-day matters of the Church, includes the Cardinal Camerlengo and the three Cardinal Assistants—one Cardinal Bishop, one Cardinal Priest and one Cardinal Deacon—chosen by lot. Venezuela now no longer has a coherent, elected political opposition to Chavez's Bolivarian Revolution. All cardinals are obliged to attend the General Congregation of Cardinals, except those whose health does not permit, or who are over eighty (but those cardinals may choose to attend if they please). Chávez’s party, the Movement for the Fifth Republic (MVR), won 114 or 68% of the 167 seats in the new National Assembly, with the rest going to allied parties. During the sede vacante, as the papal vacancy is known, certain limited powers pass to the College of Cardinals, which is convoked by the Dean of the College of Cardinals. In the elections on December 4th 2005, the six parties in the Chávez alliance received 21% support of the electoral universe of 13.9 million voters or approximately 2.9 million votes (official results have not been released, but it is estimated that 25% of voters participated, with the opposition parties effectively having less than 1% of the votes). The tradition originated to avoid forgery of documents, but today merely is a symbol of the end of the pope's reign.

In the 2000 elections, the Chavez Fifth Republic Movement won control of the National Assembly with 17% or 1.98 million votes of the electoral universe of 11.7 million voters (56.50% of registered voters participated). The Cardinal Camerlengo takes possession of the Fisherman's Ring worn by the Pope; the Ring, along with the papal seal, is later destroyed before the College of Cardinals. This party received 1.24 million votes. During the twentieth century the use of the hammer in this ritual has been abandoned; under Universi Dominici Gregis, the Camerlengo must merely declare the Pope's death by calling him three times by his Christian name in the presence of the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations, and of the Cleric Prelates, Secretary and Chancellor of the Apostolic Camera. Historical figures of voter support for the winners of the parliamentary elections: in 1998, the Democratic Action Party won control of the then Congress with 11.24% of voter support (or 24.09% of cast ballots, with the remaining opposition parties taking 51.15% of the vote) from an electoral universe of approximately 10.9 million voters (52.70% of voters participated). The death of the Pope is verified by the Cardinal Camerlengo, or Chamberlain, who traditionally performed the task by gently striking the Pope's head with a small silver hammer and calling out his Christian (not papal) name three times. As a result of the partial boycott and the opinion polls, these parliamentary elections were marked by a low voter turnout of 25% (estimated 3 out of 14 million registered voters), compared to an historical turnout figure of around 45% in such elections, parliamentary elections being held separately from presidential elections. A Cardinal who is considered to be a prospect for the papacy is referred to informally as being papabile (plural noun: papabili), the term being coined by Vatican watchers in the mid-twentieth century.

The last opinion polls prior to the elections had indicated that the Chávez alliance would have won around 150 of the 167 seats in the National Assembly, an indication that the opposition may have tried to avoid an historical defeat. Speculation tends to mount when a Pope is ill or aged and shortlists of potential candidates appear in the media. - - On December 4, 2005, five of Venezuela's major opposition parties boycotted the elections (half of the candidates of these five parties actually withdrew from the elections, representing 10% of the total number of candidates), charging that they were not being administered fairly; a random verification of 45% of the electronic votes (verified open source software was used) with paper ballots proved that the results of these elections were accurate. However, there is inevitably always much speculation about which Cardinals have serious prospects of being elected. - - ===Parlimentary elections of 2005=== -. It is considered poor form to campaign for the position of Pope. Although the Organization of American States and the Carter Center certified the referendum, disillusioned protests continued. Upon the Pope's death, either body's proceedings are suspended, to be resumed only upon the order of the new Pope.

Leaders and supporters of the opposition refused to accept the results of the election claiming fraud, despite international observers that endorsed the election as free and fair. Universi Dominici Gregis explicitly provides that even if a Synod or ecumenical council is in session at the time of a Pope's death, it may not perform the election. Nonetheless, a recall election was held on 15 August 2004, and Chávez won (that is, he was permitted to stay in office) with approximately 60% of the vote. Under present procedure, however, the Synod may only meet while called by the Pope. - - The following two years were marked by massive protests by the opposition, who managed in 2004 to obtain more than 3 million signatures to call for a referendum on Chávez, who in turn accused many of the signatures of being fraudulent. Proposed reforms include a plan to replace the College of Cardinals as the electoral body with the Synod of Bishops, which includes many more members. -. Since the College of Cardinals is a small body, some have suggested that the electorate should be expanded.

-. If the Sub-Dean also cannot participate, the senior Cardinal Bishop participating performs the functions. - - ===Mass protests and recall referendum=== -. If the Dean is not entitled to participate in the conclave due to age, his place is taken by the Sub-Dean, who is also always a Cardinal Bishop. Diosdado Cabello, Vice President of Venezuela, exerted his constitutional rights and temporarily assumed the position of president, until Chávez was restored to the Presidency. Several duties are performed by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, who is always a Cardinal Bishop. Though initially supported by the high-ranking military that had rebelled against Chávez, he lost support after he proceeded to dissolve all democratic institutions formed under the Chávez regime - and part of the military that remained loyal to Chávez brought him back. Under Universi Dominici Gregis, the cardinals are to be lodged in a purpose-built edifice, the Domus Sanctæ Marthæ, but are to continue to vote in the Sistine Chapel.

During the confusion that followed the power void, Fedecámaras President Pedro Carmona Estanga was placed in power. Universi Dominici Gregis is the sole constitution governing the election; it abrogates all constitutions previously issued by Popes. During the chaos that ensued, high-ranking military officials reported that Chávez had resigned (though, later on, Chávez said he had been taken hostage by the military and forced to sign a letter of resignation). The procedures outlined, however, in many cases date to much earlier times. To this day, the responsibility for these deaths has not been established. In 1996, John Paul II promulgated a new Apostolic Constitution, called Universi Dominici Gregis (Shepherd of the Lord's Whole Flock), which, unless superseded by later regulations, now governs the election of the Pope's successor. Television broadcasts at the time showed people firing guns into the general direction of the demonstrators, but footage allegedly shot from another camera-angle disputes this. Popes have often written "election constitutions" fine-tuning the rules for the election of their successors: Pope Pius XII's Vacantis Apostolicae Sedis of 1945 governed the conclave of 1958, Pope John XXIII's Summi Pontificis Electio of 1962 that of 1963, and Pope Paul VI's Romano Pontifici Eligendo of 1975 those of 1978.

- - Although the exact circumstances are unknown, many unarmed protesters were shot, resulting in 18 deaths. Since 1846, when the Quirinal Palace was used, the Sistine Chapel has always served as the location of the election. In April 11th 2002, during massive opposition demonstrations that unexpectedly began to march towards the Presidential Palace, high-ranking members within the Armed Forces refused Chávez's order to carry out the Plan Avila. Within Rome and the Vatican City, different locations have been used for the election. It was a first in the history of labour relations; owners, executives, managers and a few rank-and-file workers joined together to protest Chávez's economic policies. Since the Western Schism, however, elections have always been held in Rome (except in 1800, when Neapolitan troops occupying Rome forced the election to be held in Venice), and normally in the Vatican City (which has, since the Lateran treaties of 1929, been recognised as an independent state). - In December 2001, the umbrella group of the nation's largest business organizations, Fedecamaras, several workers' groups, the Confederación de Trabajadores de Venezuela and the petroleum workers' union, PDVSA, called the country to a general strike. The location of the conclaves was not fixed until the fourteenth century.

- - ===Coup and worker strike=== -. Several reforms were instituted by John Paul II in 1996. (see Transparency International). In 1904, Pius X issued a constitution consolidating almost all of the previous ones, making some changes. The government has often had to create new grassroots public services in the form of "missions." The government's claim is that this is necessary to avoid going through a "corrupt bureaucracy," but after six years in power, and with an almost absolute control of the several governmental branches, it has begun to raise questions as to its indifference - or powerlessness - to eradicate corruption. Gregory XV issued two bulls that covered the most minute of details relating to the election; the first, issued in 1621, concerned electoral processes, while the other bull, issued in 1622, fixed the ceremonies to be observed. Although political parties supporting Chávez have consistently won a majority of seats in parliament, Chávez has slowly made party policy to garner control of most branches of the government. In 1562, Pius IV issued a papal bull that introduced regulations relating to the secrecy of the ballots and other procedural matters.

- - Chávez has enacted a number of socialist reforms in Venezuela, fostering close ties with Cuban President Fidel Castro, including expropriation of plantations that owner-occupants claim are private property. Gregory X's strict regulations were later abrogated in 1276 by Adrian V, but after he was elected in 1294 following a two-year vacancy, Celestine V restored them. In November 2000, the National Assembly granted Chávez the right to rule by decree for one year, and in November 2001, Chávez made a set of 49 decrees, including large reforms in oil and agrarian policy which made him even more popular with the poor. During the conclave, no cardinal was to receive any ecclesiastical revenue. Chávez was re-elected in 2000 under the new constitution with 59% of the vote. Food was to be supplied through a window; after three days of the meeting, the cardinals were to receive only one dish a day; after five days, they were to receive just bread and water. His platform, (Bolivarian revolution), called for the signing of a new constitution written by a Constituent Assembly and approved by referendum in 1999. No cardinal was allowed to be attended by more than one servant unless ill.

- - Chávez was elected president in 1998 with 56% of the vote as part of a new political party, the Movement for the Fifth Republic. Cardinals were to be secluded in a closed area; they were not even accorded separate rooms. - ===Presidential elections and new constitution=== -. To reduce further delays, Gregory X introduced stringent rules relating to the election procedures. Chávez's role in the coup made him popular amongst the lower classes leading him to run for president in 1998. As a result, the cardinals soon elected Gregory X, ending an interregnum of almost three years. President Pérez was eventually impeached and convicted of corruption and his successor Rafael Caldera released the coup leaders from jail in 1994. When the cardinals still failed to elect a Pope, the city refused to send in any materials except bread and water.

The coup, which resulted in the deaths of 80 civilians and 17 members of the armed forces, failed and its supporters were jailed for treason. After the death of Clement IV in 1268, the city of Viterbo was also forced to resort to the seclusion of cardinals in the episcopal palace. - Members of the Venezuelan military, including Hugo Chávez, attempted a coup d'état in 1992 to remove the democratically elected president, Carlos Andrés Pérez from power. The method was adopted, for example, in 1216 by the city of Perugia and in 1241 by the city of Rome. - ===Chávez and the 1992 coup attempt=== -. To resolve them, authorities often resorted to the forced seclusion of the cardinal electors. -. In earlier years, papal elections sometimes suffered prolonged deadlocks.

-. He declared that any cardinal who communicated his government's veto would suffer excommunication, or expulsion from Church communal life. - ==Current political events==. Cardinal Sarto, who chose the name Pius X, abolished the right of the veto. The National Electoral Council (CNE) is in charge of electoral processes; it is formed by five main directors elected by the National Assembly. Consequently, the College chose Giuseppe Cardinal Sarto with 55 votes. The highest judicial body is the Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia, whose magistrates are elected by parliament for a single 12-year term. Austria became the last nation to exercise the power in 1903, when Cardinal Puzyna de Kosielsko informed the College of Cardinals that Austria opposed the election of Mariano Cardinal Rampolla (who had received 29 out of 60 votes in one ballot).

They are elected by popular vote through a combination of party lists and single member constituencies. After the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved in 1806, its place was taken by Austria (which was a part of the Empire and whose ruler was also Holy Roman Emperor). Its 165 deputies, of which three are reserved for indigenous peoples, serve five-year terms and may be re-elected for a maximum of two additional terms. No vetoes could be employed after an election. The unicameral Venezuelan parliament is the National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional. Therefore, the nation's cardinals did not announce the use of the power until the very last moment when the candidate in question seemed likely to get elected. The president can ask the legislature to reconsider portions of laws he finds objectionable, but a simple parliamentary majority can override these objections. The power of exclusion was, by the same custom, only exercisable by any nation once.

The president appoints the vice-president and decides the size and composition of the cabinet and makes appointments to it with the involvement of the legislature. By an informal convention, each nation was allowed to veto not more than one papal candidate; any decision made by a nation was conveyed by one of its cardinals. The term of office is six years, and a president may be re-elected to a single consecutive term. From the sixteenth century, certain Catholic nations were allowed to exercise the so-called "right of exclusion" or "veto". The Venezuelan president is elected by a popular vote, with direct and universal suffrage, and functions as both head of state and head of government. In 1119, the Holy Roman Empire acceded to the Concordat of Worms, accepting the papal decision. See also: Discoverer of the Americas, List of Presidents of Venezuela. Gregory VII was the last to submit to the interference of the Holy Roman Emperors; the breach between him and the Holy Roman Empire caused by the Investiture Controversy led to the abolition of the Emperor's role.

(more). In 1059, the same papal bull that restricted suffrage to the cardinals also recognised the authority of the Holy Roman Emperor, at the time Henry IV, but only as a "concession" made by the Pope, thus establishing that the Holy Roman Emperor had no authority to intervene in elections except where permitted to do so by papal agreements. Venezuela is member of the South American Community of Nations (SACN). In 898, riots forced John IX to recognise the superintendence of the Holy Roman Emperor; the local secular rulers in Rome also continued to exert a great influence, especially during the tenth century period known as the pornocracy. Since that year, Venezuela has enjoyed an unbroken tradition of democratic civilian rule, though not without conflict. While the first two Holy Roman Emperors, Charlemagne and Louis, did not interfere with the Church, Lothar claimed that an election could not be conducted except in the presence of imperial ambassadors. Much of Venezuela's 19th and early 20th century history was characterized by political instability, political struggle, and dictatorial rule.^[1] Following the death of Juan Vicente Gómez in 1935 and the demise of caudillismo (authoritarian oligarchical rule), democratic struggles eventually forced the military to withdraw from direct involvement in national politics in 1958. In the 9th century, a new empire—the Holy Roman Empire, which was German, not Italian—came to exert control over the elections of Popes.

Páez became the first president of Venezuela. Thereafter, the Emperor was only required to be notified; the requirement was dispensed with by Zacharias and by his successors. Venezuela became, after the war of independence, along with Colombia and Ecuador part of the Republic of Gran Colombia (República de Gran Colombia) until 1830, when the country separated through a rebellion led by the aforementioned Jose Antonio Páez and declared itself as a sovereign republic. Lengthy delays were caused by the sojourns to and from Constantinople; when Benedict II complained about them, the Byzantine Emperor Constantine IV acquiesced, ending the confirmation of elections by the Emperors. Antonio José de Sucre, who won many battles for Bolivar, was to become his natural successor until he was murdered. Once the electors arrived at a choice, they were required to send a delegation to Constantinople requesting the Emperor's consent, which was necessary before the individual elected could take office. He then led the army towards the south liberating Peru, and Bolivia (whose name comes after the Libertador) from the Spaniards. A procedure was adopted whereby officials were required to notify the Exarch of Ravenna (who would relay the information to the Byzantine Emperor) upon the death of a Pope before proceeding to the election.

New Granada's congress gave Bolívar control of the Granadian army who then led several countries to freedom and created a new republic called Colombia (also known as Great Colombia to differentiate it to the actual Republic of Colombia) conformed by what are now Colombia, Panama, Ecuador and Venezuela. By the end of the 530s, the Ostrogothic monarchy was overthrown, and power passed to the Byzantine Emperors (who are known as the Eastern Roman Emperors). Nevertheless, the full control over Venezuelan territory was achieved after Bolivar, with the help of General José Antonio Páez and especially the then General Grand Marshall Antonio José de Sucre, whose battle plan Bolívar chose to follow, won the Battle of Carabobo in June 24th 1821, and after José Prudencio Padilla won the Naval Battle of Lake Maracaibo on July 24th 1823. In 532, John II formally recognised the right of the Ostrogothic monarchs to ratify elections. After several unsuccessful uprisings, the country declared independence from Spain on July 5th 1811 under the leadership of its most famous son, Simón Bolívar. After the demise of the Western Roman Empire, clout passed to the Ostrogothic Kings of Italy. Parts of what is now eastern Venezuela became New Andalusia. He ordered that in future cases, controverted elections would be settled by fresh elections; the method was never applied before its lapse.

Venezuela was the site of one of the first permanent Spanish settlements in South America in 1522, and most of the territory eventually became part of the viceroyalty of New Granada. In 418, Honorius settled a controverted election, upholding Boniface I over the challenger Eulalius. . For example, the Roman Emperors once held considerable sway in the elections of Popes. It has been claimed that Christopher Columbus was so enthralled by Venezuela's landscape, when arriving to its coast in 1498, that he referred to the land as Tierra de Gracia (Land of Grace), which has become the country’s nickname. For the greater part of its history, the Church has been influenced in the choice of its leaders by powerful monarchs and governments. To this day, Venezuela is known for its petroleum industry, the environmental diversity of its territory, and its sheer natural beauty. New rules introduced by John Paul II have formally abolished these long-unused systems; now, election is always by ballot.

This issue is not yet resolved. The last election by compromise was that of John XXII (1316), and the last election by acclamation was that of Gregory XV (1621). Historically, Venezuela has had territorial disputes with Guyana, largely concerning the Essequibo area. When voting by scrutiny, the electors cast secret ballots. A former Spanish colony, Venezuela is a Federal Republic. When voting by compromise, the deadlocked College of Cardinals would select a committee of cardinals to conduct an election. North of the Venezuelan coast lie the islands of Aruba, the Netherlands Antilles, and Trinidad and Tobago. When voting by acclamation, the cardinals would unanimously declare the new Pope quasi afflati Spiritu Sancto (as if inspired by the Holy Spirit).

Venezuela borders Brazil to the south, Guyana to the east, and Colombia to the west. Electors formerly made choices by three methods: by acclamation, by compromise and by scrutiny. IPA [re'puβlika boliβaɾiana de benesu'ela]) is a country on the northern tropical Caribbean coast of South America. John Paul's constitution allows election by absolute majority if deadlock still prevails seven ballots after the address by the senior Cardinal Bishop. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (IPA: [ˌvɛnəˈzwelə]; Spanish: República Bolivariana de Venezuela, pron. In 1996, John Paul II restored the two-thirds majority requirement, but not the prohibition on cardinals voting for themselves. Note 2: The flag and coat of arms were recently modified; the old versions are depicted.
. In 1945, however, Pius XII dispensed with the procedure, compensating for the change by increasing the requisite majority to two-thirds plus one.

The turpial (Icterus icterus). Cardinals were not allowed to vote for themselves; an elaborate procedure was adopted to ensure secrecy while at the same time preventing cardinals from voting for themselves². The araguaney (Tabebuia chrysantha). A simple majority sufficed for an election until 1179, when the Third Lateran Council increased the required majority to two-thirds. The orchid (Cattleya mossiae). In the current day, any baptised male, except for a heretic or schismatic can be elected by the College of Cardinals.¹ Women have never been eligible for the papacy; claims that there was a female Pope, including the supposed Pope Joan, are fictitious. List of players from Venezuela in Major League Baseball. Prior to Benedict and John Paul, the last Pope to hail from a nation outside Italy was the Dutchman (ethnically German) Adrian VI, elected in 1522.

List of Venezuelans. There is no requirement that a Bishop of Rome be Italian; the present incumbent, Benedict XVI, is German, and his predecessor, John Paul II, was Polish. Venezuelan Spanish. In 1378, Urban VI became the last Pope who was not a cardinal at the time of his election. Cuisine of Venezuela. In 1179, the Third Council of the Lateran reversed these requirements, once more allowing laymen to be elected (this does not mean the person elected remains an unordained layman while serving as pope; see acceptance and proclamation below). Music of Venezuela. In 769, the candidate was required to be a clergyman; the requirements later became more stringent, with only cardinals being eligible to be elected.

Originally, lay status did not bar election to the Bishopric of Rome. Of the Church's current 182 cardinals, 116 are under eighty years of age, and thus qualified to vote on a papal successor. John Paul II also changed the rule so that cardinals that were under eighty on the day the Holy See become vacant but turn eighty before the conclave start still have a vote. Even this limitation was disregarded by John Paul II.

In 1970, Paul VI decreed that cardinals over the age of eighty were ineligible to be part of the electorate, and also increased the limit on the number of cardinal electors to 120. Having fallen to as few as seven members in the 13th century, the College grew until in 1587, Sixtus V limited the cardinalate to 70 members (six Cardinal Bishops, 50 Cardinal Priests, and 14 Cardinal Deacons) but Popes since John XXIII have paid no heed to the guideline. Furthermore, it was declared that no council would have authority over the Pope, and that a papal election could not be undone. Since that election, the cardinals have remained the sole electors of Popes.

The Council then proceeded to elect Pope Martin V, ending the Papal Schism. The conflict was only resolved by the Council of Constance (which met between 1414 and 1418), which received the abdication of one claimant and deposed the two others. The Council of Pisa met in 1409 to resolve the conflict, but only managed to elect a third claimant. Later, in the same year, the cardinals moved to Fondi and elected another rival Pope.

After the death of the French-born Pope Gregory XI in that year, Romans rioted to ensure the election of an Italian; the cardinals complied by choosing Pope Urban VI. The cardinals' exclusive right to elect the Pope was questioned during the Papal Schism that began in 1378. A Synod of the Lateran held in 1139 removed the requirement that the assent of the lower clergy and the laity be obtained. The most senior cardinals, the Cardinal Bishops, were to meet first and discuss the candidates before summoning the Cardinal Priests and Cardinal Deacons for the actual vote.

A major change was introduced in 1059, when Nicholas II decreed that the cardinals were to elect a candidate, who would take office after receiving the assent of the clergy and laity. The Lateran Synod held in 769 officially abolished the theoretical suffrage held by the Roman people, though in 862, a Synod of Rome restored it to Roman noblemen. The lack of clarity in the election procedures often resulted in the election of rival Popes or antipopes. The candidate would then be submitted to the people for their approbation; Romans typically signified approval (or disapproval) tumultuously.

The true electoral body was the clergy, which did not cast votes, instead selecting the Pope by general consensus or by acclamation (with bishops supervising the process). Later, however, this method was replaced in Rome and elsewhere with that of election by the clergy and laity of the community and the bishops of neighbouring dioceses. The earliest bishops were most likely chosen by the founders of their communities. Procedures similar to the present system were introduced in 1274 with the Second Council of Lyons.

The procedures relating to the election of the Pope have undergone almost two millennia of development. . Popes may make rules relating to election procedures; they may determine the composition of the electoral body, replacing the entire College of Cardinals if they were to so choose. In earlier times, members of the clergy and the people of Rome were entitled to participate, in much the same way as the laity helped determine the choice of bishops throughout the Catholic Church during this early period.

Since the year 1059, the College of Cardinals has served as the sole body charged with the election of the Pope, the source of the term Prince of the church for cardinals. They are now held in the Sistine Chapel in the Palace of the Vatican. Conclaves have been employed since the Second Council of Lyons decreed in 1274 that the electors should meet in seclusion. The electors form a conclave, from the Latin phrase cum clave ("with a key"), referring to the "locking away" of the electors during the process.

A papal election is the method by which the Roman Catholic Church fills the office of Bishop of Rome, whose incumbent is known as the Pope, the head of the Church.